I Like What She's Doing!

Fun Fact: Nominated for 11 Tony's - including Best Musical.

Target Audience: This is a classic musical comedy with laugh-a-minute dialogue, you can't go wrong.

Best Bit: All the performances were flawless!

Morning After Effect:Be a man, or a woman, or both - but be sure to play nice.  

Michael Dorsey (Santino Fontana) is a miserable overworked New Yorker throwing hours of his life into his survival job as a server, desperate to land an acting gig rooted in truth so he can live his dream. After getting fired from a bad musical with the tyrannical testosterone-oozing director (Reg Rogers) he embarks on a gender-bending journey, convinced that women have more opportunities, and might have it easier. Fontana transforms from the aggressive, arrogant "wannabe" actor who wears loose fitted clothes to a kind, caring, sassy, lady - whose dresses are pinched in all the right places. He moves between Michael Dorsey and Dorothy Michaels without skipping a beat, altering his mannerisms, voice, and stature in an instance. You almost forget Fontana is an actor playing an actor, playing a female actor until he falls in love with a female actress while dressed as a female actress - make sure you keep up! His comedic timing is pure perfection and by the end, he is an advocate for female rights. Straight man Jeff Slater, played brilliantly by Andy Grotelueschen, sings "Jeff Sums It Up" - and he really does sum it all up and will have you in fits of giggles!  

Tootsie the musical has been written by Robert Horn (Book) and David Yazbek (Music and Lyrics), adapted from the 1982 Oscar-winning film, written by Don McGuire and Larry Gelbart. The narrative is set in the present day and it is fun and silly with just the right number of current affairs sprinkled in - even parts of the choreography (Denis Jones) have hilarious dialogue!    

There is no denying that during the current climate of women's rights, equal pay, and the rise of transgender voices that Tootsie was a bold move for Broadway, especially with this male-heavy creative crew. Perhaps this is just what we need a light-hearted ridiculous story of a man playing a man, playing a woman who feels victimized by a man and stands up to join the movement. A movement that breaks through the barriers of gender but rather looks to the core, the truth of who you really are. Santino Fontana is certainly leading the way, moving forward in those heels, one step at a time, alongside an incredible ensemble and the talented Scott Ellis (Director).  

Be sure to get your little tush to Tootsie!

View our show pages for more information about Tootsie, Sarofim Hall.